More twists and turns

The latest round of qualifying matches for UEFA EURO 2004™ produced a number of unexpected results to leave the majority of the ten groups wide open ahead of the next round of fixtures.

Group 1France opened a nine-point lead at the top following a 2-1 victory over Israel in Palermo. However, the reigning European champions were made to work hard to maintain their 100 per cent record after falling behind to an early goal. Slovenia moved into second place on six points and look favourites to gain a play-off spot after an impressive 4-1 home win against Cyprus. Israel and Cyprus are two points behind, while Malta remain bottom without a point.Next fixtures:30 April Malta v Slovenia; Israel v Cyprus

Group 2Norway moved three points ahead of second-placed Denmark, who have seven points, with a 2-0 victory in Luxembourg. The result took on a much greater significance following the surprise 2-0 home defeat of the Danes by Bosnia-Herzegovina who are now in contention for a qualifying spot after moving level with Romania and to within a point of Denmark. Luxembourg remain at the foot of the table having failed to gain a point from four games.Next fixtures:7 June Romania v Bosnia-Herzegovina; Denmark v Norway

Group 3The Czech Republic maintained their lead at the top from the Netherlands after a sparkling 4-0 win against ten-man Austria in Prague. The Netherlands had to recover from conceding an early goal in Moldova to record a 2-1 victory. Both teams now have ten points from four games while Austria remain four points adrift in third spot, leaving Moldova to prop up the group without a point.Next fixtures:7 June Moldova v Austria; Belarus v Netherlands

Group 4Poland drew level with leaders Latvia on seven points following a comprehensive 5-0 victory at home to bottom team San Marino. Sweden, who along with Latvia have played a game less than Poland, are now within two points of the top two teams after a 2-1 win in Hungary whom they leapfrogged on goal difference.Next fixture:30 April Latvia v San Marino

Group 5Germany regained top spot without even playing after Scotland lost 1-0 in Lithuania. All three sides have seven points but Germany have played two games fewer than Lithuania whose victory means they overtake Scotland on goal difference, although the Scots have a game in hand. Iceland remain fourth on three points while the Faroe Islands are bottom with just one point.Next fixtures:7 JuneScotland v Germany; Iceland v Faroe Islands

Group 6Spain extended their lead at the top of the table to four points with a 3-0 win over Armenia in León. Greece reignited their hopes of a play-off place following a 2-0 away win against nine-man Northern Ireland - a result which took them level on six points with Ukraine who have a superior goal difference. Armenia are two points below in fourth while Northern Ireland are bottom of the table with one point from four games.Next fixtures:7 June Spain v Greece; Ukraine v Armenia

Group 7England replaced Turkey as leaders following a hard-fought 2-0 home win against their closest rivals. After four games England are a point ahead of Turkey on ten points and four in front of Slovakia who cruised to a 4-0 win over Liechtenstein. F.Y.R. Macedonia are in fourth place with two points while Liechtenstein are bottom on one point.Next fixtures:7 June Slovakia v Turkey; F.Y.R. Macedonia v Liechtenstein

Group 8Bulgaria lost their 100 per cent record in the qualifiers although they remain top of the group with ten points following a goalless draw in Estonia. Croatia moved into second place, three points behind, after recording a 2-0 home win against bottom side Andorra. Belgium drop down to third place a point adrift of Croatia while Estonia’s draw takes them two points further from Andorra.Next fixture:30 AprilAndorra v Estonia

Group 9There were no games in this group.Next fixture:7 June Finland v Serbia Montenegro

Group 10Switzerland extended their lead at the top of the group to two points following a goalless draw in Georgia who recorded their first points in qualifying. Albania moved to within a point of second-placed Russia after a 0-0 home draw with the Republic of Ireland who are a further point behind although both teams have played a game more than the Russians.Next fixture:30 April Georgia v Russia

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